| Admin/Biog History |
James J. Regnery grew up in Oshkosh, but was living in South Dakota when World War I began. He became a member of Company B, Machine Gun Battalion, 1st Brigade, 1st Division. He was killed on the night of February 19, 1918 at about 7:30 PM while in the trenches on only the second day near Seicheprey, France. A piece of schrapnel entered his left shoulder in the back and pierced his heart. He was buried in the American Cemetery at Mandres-Meurthe et Moselle, Grave #154. He was later moved to Grave No. 16, Row 19, Block B, St. Mihiel American Cemetery, Thiacourt, Meurthe et Moselle, France. |
| Category |
8: Communication Artifact |
| Collection |
World War I Small Collections |
| Dates of Accumulation |
March 25, 1918 |
| Abstract |
Letter from the American Red Cross to Andrew Regnery concerning the detailed testimony from soldiers concerning the death of his son, James J. Regnery, Company B, Machine Gun battalion, 1st Brigade, 1st Division.
THE AMERICAN RED CROSS
National Headquarters
Washington, D.C.
Bureau of Communication
W.R. Castle, Jr., Director
August 23, 1918
My dear Mr. Regnery:
We are this morning in receipt of various reports from our Paris office regarding your son, Private James J. Regnery, 2nd. Co., 1st. Brigade, M.G.Bn., who was killed in action February 19. The first report reads as follows:
"Regnery was killed instantly by shrapnel while on
guard duty. He was a very good friend of mine and
I enquired into the details. I could not find out whether
He was buried there (---Sector) or taken back to --- and
buried. It was just about February 19. He had not been
up at the front only a very short time when he was killed.
The last time I saw him was at --- where he was in the
kitchen and was taken sick.
I know Regnery very well. He came from a place just a
short distance from my home; in fact he stayed in the same
town for a considerable time. He was a kind of medicine
man and spent most of the time in Golden Valley, North Dakota.
He had stations along there. He had no family that I know of."
(Private Walter I. Larson.)
Another report states that "he had been hit near the heart with a bullet." He was buried at ---by Chaplain Joyce, with full military honors, salute, flags and his grave has since been decorated by the other members of his company. The number of his grave is 154 in the French Military Cemetery.
Another comrade states: "He was a fine fellow, always in a good humor and mighty well liked, although he was new to the company."
Another informant who knew him personally at North Dakota states that his death was instantaneous.
I am very glad to be able to send you all this information, although it is all very sad, but it must be a relief to you to get some definite details of his death and burial, and it certainly is comforting to know that he did not suffer.
Just now, of course, we realize that a personal sense of your loss must overwhelm all other consideration, but as time goes on and you are able to face this blow more calmly, you will, I am sure, take comfort in the thought that your boy is numbered among our heroes who have bravely given up their lives in this fight for civilization and justice.
Very sincerely,
W. R. Castle, Jr:
By (illegible)
Mr. Andrew Regnery,
831 5th St.,
Oshkosh, Wisconsin
enk/ae |
| Event |
World War I |
| Legal Status |
Oshkosh Public Museum |
| Object ID |
SC411.10.11.5 |
| Object Name |
Letter |
| People |
Regnery, James J. |
| Subjects |
World War I
Soldiers
Casualties
Death
Wounds & injuries
Death
Death & burial
American Red Cross |
| Title |
Letter |
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